TV Reminder for Canucks

[TedN]

Discovery Channel (Canada)
Ultimate Racing Crashes

Thur, Dec 9, 2004 at 6:00 PM
Fri, Dec 10, 2004 at 3:00 AM
Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 8:00 AM
Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 6:00 PM
Fri, Dec 31, 2004 at 12:00 AM

Explore the high-tech, high-speed world of car and bike racing. By examining several renowned Formula 1, NASCAR and motorbike crashes, the episode offers a fascinating look at the history of the science and engineering used to sustain drivers in life-threatening impacts. We also chronicle the vital measures taken by Formula 1 and NASCAR governing bodies to more effectively manage the safety of these highly dangerous, cutting-edge sports.

In May 1994, Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna died from severe head injuries following a horrendous crash at Imola, Italy. Using crash reconstruction and poignant interviews with witnesses to the tragic event, the program sheds light on this dark day in Formula 1 history, while also exploring the safety measures introduced by the Formula 1 soon after the notorious crash.

Using archival footage and interviews with motorsport drivers and historians, we revisit the tragic crash at Le Mans in 1955, when a Mercedes crashed into an enclosure crowded with spectatos, killing 80 and injuring more than 100. Although races were cancelled across the world, the tragedy did little to improve safety.

An interview with legendary Formula 1 driver Jackie Stewart about his near-miss crash at the 1966 Belgian Grand Prix offers an interesting history of how rapid medical response became compulsory in racing.

Explore how the racetrack became an extension of the safety laboratory. An interview with the bio-mechanic who pioneered the use of the accelerometer, a device that records crashes in microscopic increments of time, sheds light on the methods used by engineers to understand more precisely the details of crashes and injuries to drivers.

The program offers compelling interviews with the medical team that raced to save CART driver Alex Zanardi, who lost both legs following a 320 km/h crash, and with the championship medic who saved Moto GP champion Mick Doohan from a career-ending leg amputation.

We examine the controversial HANS device, a head-restraining system used to combat basilar skull fracture, the leading cause of death among drivers who sustain head injuries. The episode explores in detail the death of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, the leading voice against HANS, who died from basilar skull fracture during a crash in 2001. Soon after, NASCAR officials made HANS mandatory for all drivers.

The program concludes with testimony from Indy driver Ritchie Herne, who walked away from the highest ever recorded impact with only a broken foot, thanks to safety technology currently used in motor racing.

[macdaddy]

Thanks, Ted! I never would've known otherwise!

Question: Is it the same episode being aired five times? Or is it divided into parts?


PS) I've editted your original post, Ted. I think you understand why!

[TedN]

Discovery Channel.

Ted

[Jack Man]

Thanx Ted I'll be watching. (Think i've seen it before though)

[macdaddy]

Thanks for the link, Ted. It appears to be one 60min episode.